Sheffield, England

A.W Staniforth Knife

Arthur Worrall Staniforth was born August 8th 1841 to Samuel Staniforth, a cutler and Sarah Worrall. He was baptised at the Sheffield parish church on September 1st of that year.

On the 1851 Census the family resided at South Street, Park, Sheffield, Samuel Staniforth, the head of the household is recorded as being a Spring Knife Cutler, aged 50, his wife Sarah is 47. Also in the household is Nancy Staniforth, widowed daughter-in-law, this was Nancy Webster, the wife of son John Staniforth, her own son, Sarah Ann Staniforth is also in the home aged 3 along with Samuel and Sarah’s own children, George aged 19, Emily aged 11 and Arthur himself aged 9.

On the 1861 Census the family are found again at Park, Sheffield on Henry Street, Samuel is now a 60 year old widow, as his wife passes away September 14th, 1859. His 21 year old daughter Emily is still in the household along with 19 year old Arthur, and granddaughter Sarah Ann, aged 14. Emily would go onto marry twice, firstly to Charles Liversidge on January 1st 1866, secondly to William Jennings in 1875.

On August 10th, 1862, Arthur Worrall Staniforth, a 21 year old Cutler from Henry Street marries Catherine Cockayne, a 24 year old woman from South Street, daughter of James Cockayne, Scissorsmith.

On the 1871 Census, the family are living on Prospect Road, Ecclesall Bierlow, Sheffield. Arthur is a 29 year old Pen Knife Cutler, his wife being 34. Two daughters are also in the home, Kate Staniforth, aged 8 and Harriett Cockayne Staniforth, aged 5.

Based on newspaper articles from around this time, it is evident that Arthur Worrall Staniforth also worked as a food inspector as he is mentioned in numerous articles involving fruit and meat inspection.

Sheffield Independent – August 29th 1874:

The Prevalence of Diarrhea in Sheffield

Bad Fruits and its effects

At the Sheffield Town Hall yesterday before F.T Mappin and T.A Sorby Esq. a fruiterer names William Cottam, having a place of business in the Wholesale Fruit Market was summoned for exposing bad fruit for sale.

Dr. Griffiths, the medical officer of health for the borough, conducted the prosecution and in opening the case said the defendant had been summoned for exposing nine hampers of decomposed cherries for sale, which were totally unfit for human food. It was, he said, a matter of the utmost importance that notice should be taken of attempts o sell bad fruit. It was very necessary to maintain the health of the people, upon which however the large consumption of damaged fruit had a most delirious effect....

Arthur Worrall Staniforth, inspector, then deposed that he was in the wholesale fruit market, on the 1st inst, when he saw 30 hampers of fruit on the stand belonging the defendant. Upon examination he found that nine of the hampers contained cherries, which were rotten and in a state of decomposition, totally unfit for human food. The cherries were removed to the health officers, where they were inspected by Dr. Griffiths, who pronounced them to be utterly unfit for human consumption and they were afterwards condemned at the Town Hall.

Dr. Griffiths added his testimony to the state of the fruit, and the defendant who said the cherries had been "too long on the rails" was fined £9 and 16s costs.

We also find Arthur mentioned again in a more exciting case:

Sheffield Independent – July 25, 1878

Alleged Theft of tickets from the Sheffield Bath Company - Arthur Worrall Staniforth, Cutler, Powell Street, was brought up on a charge of stealing twelve shilling tickets belonging to the Sheffield Bath Company Limited. Mr. W. E Clegg appeared for the prosecution and Mr. Fairburn defended. Mr. R. H Smith, manager at the baths, stated that he missed the 12 tickets produced on the 11th instant. They had been taken out of a bundle containing a hundred tickets which had been lying on the counter on the previous night near the ticket-issuing hole. Other evidence was given showing that the defendant went to Mr. Shaw, hairdresser, Fitzwilliam Street, on the 13th instant, and offered him the missing tickets to sell, stating that he had given a man 2s for them. Mr. Richards, the managing director of the baths was communicated with, and found the tickets to be those which had been purloined. He was able to identify them by their not bearing any date. The defendant who pleaded not guilty, was committed to the sessions for trial.

The case is then concluded and we find a further report:

Sheffield Independent – August 17, 1878

Theft of Tickets from the Sheffield Bath Company - Arthur Worrall Staniforth, 37, Cutler, surrendered on bail to the charge of stealing twelve bath tickets belonging to the Sheffield bath Company. On 11th July prisoner went to Mr. Shaw, hairdresser, Fitwilliam Street, and offered to sell the tickets for 2s, stating that he had bought them from a man for 1s 6d. The following day it was found that the tickets had been purloined from the offices at the baths - The jury found the prisoner not guilty.

By the time of the 1901 Census, Arthur is a widow, as his wife died that same year. He is now residing at 39 Sarah Street, a 60 year old Silver Fruit Knife Manufacturer living with his 35 year old spinster daughter Harriett Cockayne Staniforth.

They are still at the same address in 1911, Arthur now 69 however still described as a Silver Fruit Knife Manufacturer, living with his now 45 year old spinster daughter Harriett.

Arthur Worrall Staniforth passed away on February 21st 1921, his will is reported in the newspaper:

Sheffield Independent – July 5th 1921:

Mr Arthur Worrall Staniforth, of 82 Sharrow Lane, Sheffield, Fruit-knife manufacturer, who died on 12 April, aged 79 years left £7,013 19s 7d the net personally being £5,975 9s 1d

Probate is granted to his daughters Kate Price of Hermitage Street, Sheffield and Harriet Cockayne Staniforth of 82 Sharrow Lane. He gives the household effects to his daughter Harriet, 20 pounds to his sister Emily Jennings, 5 pound each to the Sheffield Royal Hospital, Sheffield Royal Infirmary, Sheffield Children's Hospital and Jessop Hospital and the residue of the property to his two daughters.

Finally, in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph - November 5th 1921:

Jessop Hospital for Women

The Board of Management beg most gratefully to acknowledge receipt of a legacy of 5 pound bequeathed by the late Arthur Worrall Staniforth, of 82, Sharrow Lane, per Mrs. Price and Miss Staniforth, executors, and Messrs, Clegg and Sons, Solicitors.

His daughter Harriett Cockayne Staniforth would remain a spinster, before finally passing away on November 8th 1941, in her probate she leaves her money to her nephews, it reads:

STANIFORTH Harriet Cockayne of 82 Sharrow Lane Sheffield, spinster died 8 November 1941 Administration Llandudno 15 December to Walter Price (the younger) test stamper and Arthur Price steel examiner. Effects £7623 7s.